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It’s been almost 15 years since BioWare co-founders Greg Zeschuk and Ray Muzyka announced their retirements from the videogame industry, and they’ve been resolute about staying out of it ever since: Muzyka continues to head up the ThresholdImpact investment firm he founded in 2012 and holds multiple roles at the University of Alberta, while Zeschuk owns Blind Enthusiasm Brewing Company, also based in Alberta, where he works with a small handful of other BioWare veterans.
But Zeschuk briefly returned after BioWare’s closure, telling 80lv that he learned of the news while on a fishing trip and had already set it aside by the time he got home.
Zeschuk said he wasn’t present for the announcement, which let him process it at his own pace. He admitted it hurt, but said he’s sad for Edmonton, once a beacon of hope and possibility that showed how special things can be in an unexpected place.
He recalled an emotional moment when he left BioWare, and now worries about the studio’s staff facing job hunting, which he calls a terrifying and sad experience.
He said he has no regrets about the EA deal, which gave the studio stability and let it grow as part of a larger entity. He doubts the recent Saudi acquisition will work, noting BioWare’s complex, long‑term games clash with a sports‑focused business model.
He criticized the notion that AI or random teams can replace thoughtful game development, saying it simply doesn’t work.
He noted that many company leaders come from business, not development, and have never built a game from start to finish, so they often misunderstand the process.
Zeschuk knows the craft and says he has no desire to return, preferring to enjoy games as a consumer. He believes the personal struggle, cost, and effort needed to make a great game are not worth it.